Program Goals and Objectives

The MOR Occupational Therapy Hand Fellowship is designed to provide advanced clinical training, professional development, and leadership skills in occupational therapy. Fellows will gain extensive hands-on experience, collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, and contribute to academic and clinical education, preparing them to become leaders in the field of hand therapy.

1. Advanced Clinical Reasoning

• Goal: Demonstrate advanced clinical reasoning skills throughout the patient’s continuum of care from evaluation to discharge.

  • The fellow will synthesize protocols to establish priorities when developing a plan of care for complex hand trauma patients.

  • The fellow will direct patient care plans to meet goals and optimize outcomes aligned with MOR’s mission of excellence in orthopedic care.

2. Multidisciplinary Communication

• Goal: Demonstrate effective communication with a multidisciplinary team to provide complete and holistic care.

  • The fellow will clearly and confidently communicate with hand surgeons and staff to obtain patient information, update progress, and adapt interventions when necessary.

3. Advanced Clinical Skills

• Goal: Demonstrate proficiency in advanced occupational therapy skills specific to hand therapy.

  • The fellow will apply skills learned in each module to accurately evaluate and implement effective occupation-based treatments across diverse diagnoses and patient populations.

4. Knowledge Mastery and Dissemination

• Goal: Demonstrate mastery of fellowship content to advance the field of hand therapy.

  • The fellow will teach concepts such as fracture and tendon care, orthosis fabrication, and modalities to RUSH OTD students.

5. Educator and Mentor Development

• Goal: Demonstrate proficiency as an educator and mentor in occupational therapy.

  • Fellow will lecture to RUSH OTD students, mentor practicum students, and lead journal clubs with evidence-based discussions.

6. Ethical Practice

• Goal: Adhere to the 2025 AOTA Code of Ethics and Core Values (Altruism, Equity, Freedom, Justice, Dignity, Truth, Prudence, Advocacy).

  • The fellow will complete monthly ethical reflections and consistently demonstrate ethical decision-making in clinical practice.

7. Certification Preparation

• Goal: Acquire the experience and skills required for the HTCC Certified Hand Therapy Examination.

  • Fellow will track and log approximately 2,000 fellowship hours, contributing toward the 4,000 required for the CHT exam.

8. Evidence-Based Practice

• Goal: Utilize and apply evidence-based practices in clinical care.

  • The fellow will conduct literature reviews and appraisals to inform and implement OT evaluations and treatments.